Door knob retaining apparatus

ABSTRACT

Door knob retaining apparatus comprised of a spring loaded member adapted for movement within a rosette assembly of a door latch unit. The spring loaded member is urged to a first axial position so as to prevent the release of a door knob engaging finger and is adapted to be moved to and retained at a second axial position to allow the release of the door knob engaging finger. Using this door knob retaining apparatus, an outside door knob may not be released and removed from the outside, but may be readily released and removed from the inside by using a special tool for this purpose.

United States Patent Nolin [54] DOOR KNOB RETAINING APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Roger J. Nolin, Monterey Park,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Tool Research & Engineering, Beverly Hills, Calif.

[22] Filed: Jan. 7, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 104,685

[52] US. Cl ..292/352 [51 Int. Cl. ..E05b 3/00 [58] Field of Search.292/352, 353, 354, 348, 169.17,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,232,65 3 2/1966 Wilson ..292/169. 1 8 3,228,218 1/1966 Wilson ..70/146 [451 Oct. 3, 1971 Russell ..292/352 Russell ..70/22 ABSTRACT Door knob retaining apparatus comprised of a spring loaded member adapted for movement within 2 rosette assembly of a door latch unit. The spring loaded member is urged to a first axial position so a: to prevent the release of a door knob engaging fingei and is adapted to be moved to and retained at a second axial position to allow the release of the door knob engaging finger. Using this door knob retaining apparatus, an outside door knob may not be released and removed from the outside, but may be readily released and removed from the inside by using a special tool for this purpose.

14 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures DOOR KNOB RETAINING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of door latches.

2. Prior Art External door knobs that may be removed from the latch mechanism are a popular subject for theft and vandalism. This is particularly true during the construction phase of a building having multiple installations, such as apartment houses and motels. Consequently, it has long been the practice in the prior art to permanently attach the outer door knob to the door latch mechanism, so as to eliminate, or at least substantially reduce, the theft and vandalism encountered. This is generally achieved by machine staking the neck of the handle to the main part of the latch mechanism, which makes removal of the knob impossible without damaging the knob or other parts of the mechanism.

The permanent staking of one knob to the door latch mechanism achieves the desired end result. However, though the staking operation is a relatively simple operation, it does involve significant tooling and the use of special equipment for this purpose. Normally a manufacturer of such door latch apparatus has sufficient staking equipment to stake the knobs in place at a rate equal to the production rate of door latches by that manufacturer. However, the general nature of the business is such that large orders for latches having a specific combination of knobs and rosettes must be delivered very shortly after the order is received, if the manufacturer is to provide the delivery service that builders and other customers expect. Consequently, a manufacturer must have staking equipment for staking the door knob to the rest of the door latch apparatus at a rate which is many times greater than the average production rate for that manufacturer so that sub-assemblies may be quickly completed upon receipt of an order, or a large inventory of completed door latches with all combinations of knobs and rosettes must be maintained at all times. Such inventories allow the delivery of finished door latches directly from stock immediately upon receipt of an order and, therefore, from the customers point of view, is the more desirable approach to the problem. However, because of the number of different types and finishes of knobs and rosettes, and the possible combinations of inner and outer'knobs that a manufacturer must offer in order to be considered as having a complete line of such products, an inventory of sufficient numbers of each of these combinations represents a large and basically unproductive investment of capital in the way of finished goods. Furthermore, the finished assemblies are bulky and easily damaged, and therefore, must be carefully and independently placed in storage trays specially designed for this purpose.

In the event a door knob on one of these staked assemblies is damaged, the door knob may not be easily removed and replaced, but instead the entire latch mechanism attached to the knob is at least temporarily unsuitable for shipment until the knob is forceably removed and a new knob staked in place. This accentuates the handling problem of the finished assemblies since the damage to a knob or a rosette on a finished assembly represents a much bigger loss than similar damage to unassembled parts.

In addition to the above, the permanent assembly I a knob with the rest of the door latch mechanism in volves additional handling and expense. For instanc inventories of combinations of knobs and rosettes a1 maintained based on anticipated demands for ear combination. If a demand is underestimated, in mediate delivery will be impossible. On the other hanr if a demand is overestimated, considerable money an space will be tied up in an inactive inventory.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a door knob retail ing apparatus comprised of a spring loaded membr adapted for axial and rotational movement within rosette assembly of a door latch unit. The spring loade member is urged by the spring to an axial position so i to prevent the release of a door knob engaging finge The spring loaded member has a hole therethrough l which the member may be engaged by a special to from the opposite side of the door. When so engaged, may be withdrawn against the spring force and rotate to lock the member at the withdrawn axial position, 5 that the door knob retaining finger'may be depresse and the door knob removed. The spring loade member is provided with a concentric screwdriver e1 gaging surface on the inner end thereof so that it me be readily rotated to an angular orientation allowing i axial movement to the locked position by a screwdriw inserted through the other side of the door knob a sembly. Using this door knob retaining apparatus, a outside door knobmay not be released and remove from the outside, but may be readily released an removed from the inside by using a special tool for th purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top view of a pair of rosette assemblii with door knobs attached thereto as they are normal assembled on a door.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one of the rosette assemblir and door knobs of FIG. 1 shown in partial cross-se tion.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the details 1 one end of the spring loaded member in the door knt retaining apparatus.

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the spring load: member of FIG. 3 showing the details of the other er of the spring loaded member.

FIG. 4 is a further cross-section of the rosette a sembly of FIG. 2 on a slightly expanded scale showii the location and the mannerof actuation-of the sprii loaded member to achieve the results of the present i vention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the rosette assembly FIG. 2 also on an expanded scale showing the sprii loed member in the withdrawn position so that the do knob may be removed.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section of the rosette a sembly of FIG. 4 taken along lines 6-6 of that figure.

FIG. 7 is a pal cross-section of the rosette assemb of FIG. 4 taken along lines 7-7 of that figure.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-section of the rosette 2 sembly of FIG. 4 taken along lines 88 of that figure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the spring load member and the spring loaded finger.

"1G. is a perspective view of the spring urging the ing loaded finger into engagement with the door )b.

ETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION he present invention is a door knob retention apatus which prevents the removal of a door knob m a door latch apparatus unless access is available tn the opposite side of the door (the word knob as d herein is used in general sense to refer to a hand d for a door latch mechanism, which may include only knobs defining a surface of revolution, but also er types of hand holds such as levers and the like). s apparatus is intended for use primarily in outer 11's of such installations as apartment houses and tels where a knob removable from the outside would a likely target of vandalism and theft. The door knob :ntion apparatus of the present invention prevents removal of a door knob from the door latch chanism from that side of the door, but allows the y removal of that knob provided one has access to other side of the door (typically the inside of an trtment house door or of a motel door). .he present invention door knob retention apparatus ntended for use with a door latch mechanism which eparate and apart from the door lock. Thus, in these :allations, a dead bolt and pin tumbler lock is ated on the door above or below the door latch chanism within which the present invention is used. low referring to FIG. 1, a top view of a typical door :h mechanism which may use the present invention )r knob retention apparatus may be seen. Door knob has a neck portion 22 which slips over a mating indrical member extending from the rosette asibly 37, located generally under rosette 24, and is ained on the cylindrical member by spring loaded ger 26, which engages a mating opening in the neck of knob when the knob is placed in position on rosette assembly. Similarly, the neck 28 of knob 30 .es over a mating cylindrical member extending from ortion of the latch mechanism 36 under rosette 32, l is locked in position on the cylindrical member by ing loaded finger 34. I n a typical internal installation, that is, in an installa- 1 between rooms within a building, the knobs would be staked in place, but would be readily removable the depression of spring loaded fingers 26 and 34 so .0 allow the knob to slip axially off the mating cylin- :al members. For purposes of installation, knob 30 uld be removed from the portion of the latch chanism 36 located under rosette 32 and similarly, ette 32, which normally snaps in position on the chanism 36, would also be removed. This allows ac s to the head of mounting screws 38, which engage ting threaded members 40 extending from the ette assembly located on the other side of the door. 18, for mounting the mechanism to the door, door lb 20 and its attached mechanism is placed on one a of the door in a hole therethrough, so that'drive mber 41 or members attached thereto, which are known in the prior art, engage a latch which has :n inserted through a cooperativelydisposed hole in edge of the door. The'mechanism 36 is placed on opposite side of the door and is attached to the chanism of door knob 20 byme'ans of attachment may be seen. The cylindrical member 44 has a longituscrews 38. Thereafter, rosette 32 is snapped in place, finger 34 is depressed and door knob 30 is positioned axially along mating cylindrical member of mechanism 36 until spring loaded finger 34 snaps radially outward through the opening in the neck 28 of the knob 30 provided for that purpose.

From the above description, it may be seen that the door latch apparatus may be mounted to or removed from a door upon the removal of only one door knob, mainly the knob 30 as shown in FIG. 1, andthe other knob, knob 20, may be permanently attached to the mating rosette assembly. In outside installations wherein the knob 20 would be on the outside of a door such as the main door to an apartment in an apartment house, it is common practice to stake that knob to the mating rosette assembly at the time of manufacture, either in addition to or in lieu of the retention provided by spring loaded member 26. Thus, by doing this, the outside knob may not be removed nor the door latch mechanism disassembled and removed from the door without having access to the other side of the door. (e.g., the inside of the apartment) The present invention door knob retention apparatus is an apparatus for locking spring loaded finger 26 in its extended position, that is, in the position for locking door knob 20 onto the mating rosette assembly. This locking apparatus may be actuated by a tool passed through the center of the door latch mechanism from the opposite side of the door. Thus, with the present invention, door knob 20 may not be removed unless one has access to the other side of the door, but having such access, or having the rosette assemblies off the door, the knob may be readily removed should such removal be desired.

Now referring to FIG. 2, a partial cross-section of a knob and rosette assembly using the present invention may be seen. In this FIGURE, the door knob 20 is shown in cross-section and the cylindrical member 44 extending axially outward from the rosette assembly 37 dinal slot diametrically opposite finger 34, as may be best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. The door knob 20 contains a dimple 46 on the neck of the knob diametrically opposite the opening for spring loaded finger 26 and thus the dimple 46, in addition to the spring loaded finger 26, transmits the torque from the door knob to the cylindrical member 44 to operate the latch mechanism. The cylindrical member 44 is axially retained with respect to the mechanism 37 by raised areas 48 (FIG. 2) on one side of the mechanism 37 and by a spring clip 50 and plate 52 at the other side of mechanism 37 (FIG. 6). Plate 52 passes over the inner end of cylindrical member 44 andis retained thereon by passing end 54 of spring clip 50 through a slot in cylindrical member 44 for that purpose, and engaging the free ends 56 of spring clip 50 in notches for this purpose at the bottom of a slot in the cylindrical member 44. The cylindrical member 44 is rotationally coupled to the mechanism 37 by a finger 58 (FIG. 5) extending into the longitudinal slot in cylindrical member 44. The mechanism 37 is comprised of a spring mechanism which allows rotation in either direction, but which elastically encourages the mechanism to a center or neutral position. These elements are'well known to the prior art, but have been briefly described herein so that the function and cooperation of the invented door knob retention apparatus in the prior art door latch may be better understood.

Also shown in FIG. 2 is one of the guide fingers 60 in an elongated slot 62 in the cylindrical member 44. The guide finger 60 is integral with the spring loaded finger 26 as may be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. The depression of the spring loaded finger 26 moves the guide finger 60 downward in the elongated slot 62,.thereby serving as a guide and as a stop to limit the motion of the spring loaded finger. The spring return for the spring loaded finger 26 is provided by means of spring 64 shown in FIG. 8 and in perspective in FIG. 10. The spring 64 is in the shape of a circular arc and contains an are shaped cutout 66 which is slightly wider than the thickness of the body of spring loaded finger 26. Thus, the spring 64 may straddle the body of spring loaded finger 26, with the bridge 68 of spring 64 resting in the notch 70 (FIG. 9) in the body of spring loaded finger 26, as shown in the assembly of FIG. 8.

Also visible in FIG. 2 is a portion 76 of end plate 72, which is better illustrated in FIG. 7. There the finger 74 of the end plate 72 may be seen. This finger engages the mating slot in the cylindrical member 44 and the two fingers 76 also rest in mating slots of cylindrical member 44, as may be best seen in FIG. 2. The end plate 72 has a square hole therethrough coaxial with cylindrical member 44. The end plate 72 is also part of the prior art, and is used to reinforce cylindrical member 44 so that it may not collapse when subjected to abusive loads (cylindrical member 44 has a longitudinal slot 45, as may be seen in FIG. 8, which would tend to allow the cylindrical member 44 to deform and/or collapse under high loads if not held at its desired diameter by end plate 72.) As will be shown, end plate 72 cooperates with the apparatus of the present invention and, therefore, it is used with the door knob retention apparatus.

Having now described the various prior art members of the door latch assembly which cooperate with the apparatus of the present invention, the additional parts for the invented apparatus shall now be described. The spring loaded member 80 may be seen in FIG. 2 extending axially outward through the hole in end plate 72 (see also FIG. 7). This spring loaded member is shown in perspective in FIGS. 3 and 3a. The member 80 is characterized by a circular portion 82 adjacent one end, an intermediate portion 84 having a taped surface 86 thereon, and an elongated portion 88 extending to the other end. The elongated portion 88 has a raised area 90 defining an end surface 92 and has two additional coplanar end aces 94, which may be best seen in FIG. 7, defined by a change in cross-section of the elongated member 88. The elongated member 88 also has a central hole 96 therethrough and the end adjacent the circular portion 82 is defined by a conical protrusion 98 having slots 100 therein-adapted for engagement by an ordinary screw driver or a Phillips screwdriver.

Now referring to FIG. '7, it may be seen that when spring loaded member 80 is in the angular position as shown in that FIGURE, the end surfaces 92 and 94 are aligned with the slot between fingers 76 and the comer relief areas 102' on end member 72. Thus, spring loaded member 80 will be urged by spring 104 to the axial position shown in FIG. 4. In this position, the tapered surface 86 of the spring loaded member 80 engages the body of the spring loaded finger 26, thereby retainin the spring loaded finger 26. in the extended positior and preventing the removal of knob 20 unless one he access to the opposite of the rosette assembly. I-Iov ever, having such access, a tool may be inserte through the center of the rosette assembly and throng the central hole 96 to hook over the door knob end r the spring loaded member so that it may bewithdrawr Such a tool is shown in FIG. 4, having a handle 104 and an elongated member 108 and a hook 110 on th end thereof, for passage through and hooking over th end of spring loaded member 80. By then withdrawin the tool, the spring loaded member may be retracte so as to allow depression of the spring loaded finger 2 and removal of the knob 20 as shown in FIG. 5. Whe the spring loaded member 80 is withdrawn to the pos tion shown in FIG. 5, the end surfaces 92 and 94 at withdrawn from the appropriate openings in end plat 72, so that the spring loaded member may be locked the withdrawn position by rotating the spring loade member 80, by rotation of the tool, so that the end su: faces 92 and 94 no longer align with the approprial clearance opening in the end plate 72. When s withdrawn and locked, a door knob may be readily pt on or taken off the rosette assembly in the convention: manner. To lock a door knob, once put on, a sma screw driver may be inserted in place of the tool show in FIGS. 4 and 5 and engaged in the slots in th conical protrusion 98. By rotating the screw driver th end surfaces 92 and 94 may be made to align with th appropriate clearances in the end plate 72, thereby a lowing the spring 104 to snap the spring loade member 80 to the position shown in FIG. 4 to lock th knob in position on the cylindrical member 44.

It is thus possible to lock a door knob onto a rosetl assembly, using the present invention, with a conver tional screwdriver. Consequently, assemblies of knob rosettes and rosette assemblies may be quickly an easily put together without substantial tooling once a order specifying the specific combination required received. This allows the convenient and easy storag of separate knobs, rosettes and rosette assemblies, an the last minute quickassembly of such parts to satisfy customers order. It also allows a substantial reductic in inventory, since the specific combination a customr desires may be quickly made up rather than having 1 stock each combination separately. By way of exampl 256 combinations may be made up from a stock of on four styles of rosettes and four styles of knobs eac style having four different finishes.

The detailed description of the preferred embod ment of the present invention has been presented 1 relation to a specific prior art door latch mechanisr and it is to be understood that modifications and vari. tions thereof may be made by one skilled in the art f1 adaptation to the present invention to door lat .mechanisms of other designs without departing fro the scope and spirit of the present invention.

I claim: 1. Door knob retention apparatus comprised of spring loaded member and a rosette assembly;

said rosette assembly having a means for mating wi a door knob; said mating means having a knob retaining memb adapted for movement between a first and secor whereby said spring loaded member and said knob retaining member are cooperatively disposed so that said spring loaded member, when at said first axial position, locks said knob retaining member at member being axially moveable to a second axial said first retaining member position, and when said position, and rotatable for locking thereat; spring loaded member is in said second axial posiaid knob retaining member being cooperatively tion, allows the movement of said retaining disposed with respect to a mating knob so that member to said second retaining member position. when in said first position, said knob retaining m 6. The door knob retention apparatus of claim 5 member engages cooperatively disposed surfaces of said knob to prevent the removal thereof; said knob being readily removable when said knob retaining member is in said second position; hereby said spring loaded member and said knob retaining member are cooperatively disposed so that said spring loaded member, when at said first axial position, locks said knob retaining member at 7. The door knob retention apparatus of claim 5 said first retaining member position, and en said wherein said spring loaded member is urged in said first spring loaded member is in said second axial posiaxial direction by a coil spring acting in compression; tion, allows the movement of said retaining said spring loaded member further having a conical member to said second retaining member position. protuberance at the end thereof directed away The door knob retention apparatus of claim 1 from said knob; :rein said spring loaded member has an inclined sursaid conical protuberance having at least one slot disposed to engage a surface of said knob retaining therein, adapted to be engaged by screw driver. mber and to progressively urge said knob retaining 8. The door knob retention apparatus of claim 7 mber from said second retaining member position to wherein said spring loaded member has an axially l first retaining member position as said sprin disposed hole therethrough; :ied member moves from said second axial position said spring loaded member and said latch mechanism aid first axial position. being cooperatively disposed so that said spring wherein said spring loaded member has an inclined surface disposed to engage a surface of said knob retaining member and to progressively urge said knob retaining member from said second retaining member position to said first retaining member position as said spring loaded member moves from said second axial position to said first axial position.

The door knob retention apparatus of claim 2 main said spring loaded member has an axially JOSCd hole therethrough;

aid spring loaded member and said rosette assembly being cooperatively disposed so that said spring loaded member is axially and rotationally moveable by means of an elongated tool having an enlarged end thereon, inserted through said hole for such purpose from an axial direction opposite said knob.

9. Door knob retention apparatus comprised of a ble by means of an elongated tool having an endoor knob and a substantially cylindrical mating larged end thereon, inserted through said hole for member attached to a door latch mechanism and definsuch purpose from an axial direction opposite said 40 ing an axis; knob. said mating member having a knob retaining member loaded member is axially and rotationally movea- The door knob retention apparatus of claim 3 :rein said spring loaded member is urged toward l knob by a coil spring acting in compression;

adapted for radial movement between an extended and a retracted position; said mating member having an axially and rotatably moveable spring aid spring loaded member further having a conical loaded member therein, which is compliantly protuberance at the end thereof directed away urged to a first axial position; said spring loaded from said knob; member being moveable to a second axial position aid conical protuberance having at least one slot and rotatable for locking thereat;

therein adapted to be engaged by a screw driver. said knob retaining member being cooperatively Door knob retention apparatus comprised of a disposed with respect to said knob so that when in r knob, and a mating member extending from a said extended position, said knob retaining :tte assembly; member engages an opening in the neck of said aid mating member having a knob retaining member knob to prevent the removal thereof; said knob adapted for movement between first and second being readily removable when said knob retaining retaining member positions; said mating member member is in said withdrawn position; having an axially and rotatably moveable spring whereby said spring loaded member and said knob loaded member therein, which is compliantly retaining member are cooperatively disposed and urged to a first axial position; said spring loaded adapted so that said spring loaded member, when member being axially moveable to a second axial at said first axial position, locks said knob retaining position, and rotatable for locking thereat; member at said extended position, and when said aid knob retaining member being cooperatively spring loaded member is in said second axial posidisposed with respect to said knob so that when in tion, allows the movement of said retaining saidfirst position, said knob retaining member enmember to said withdrawn position. gages cooperatively disposed surfaces of said knob 10. The door knob apparatus of claim 9 wherein said spring loaded member has an inclined surface disposed to engage a surface of said knob retaining member and to progressively urge saidknob retaining member from to prevent the removal thereof; said knob being readily removable when said knob retaining member is in said second position;

said second retaining member position to said first retaining member position as said spring loaded member moves from said second axial position to said first axial position.

11. The door knob retention apparatus of claim wherein said spring loaded member is urged in said first axial direction by a coil spring acting in compression;

said spring loaded member further having a conical protuberance at the end thereof directed away from said first axial direction;

said conical protuberance having at least one slot therein, adapted to be engaged by a screw driver.

12. The door knob retention apparatus of claim 11 wherein said spring loaded member has an axially disposed hole therethrough;

said spring loaded member and said latch mechanism being cooperatively disposed so that said spring loaded member is axially and rotationally moveable by means of an elongated tool having an enlarged end thereon, inserted through said hole for such purpose from an axial direction opposite said first axial direction.

13. A member for use in a door latch mechanism, as

part of a means for locking a door knob thereto;

said member having a first section adjacent a fir: end, a second section adjacent a second end, and third section intermediate said first and secon sections;

said first end being defined by a frustro conic: protrusion having at least one slot therein adapte for engagement by screw drivers;

said first section having a substantially cylindricz surface defining its outer periphery;

said second section being of uniform cross-sectio and having a body with at least one integral radi: protrusion extending from said third section to plane adjacent said second end, said second en being defined by an extention of said body beyon said plane;

said third section having a tapered surface adapted t cooperate with door engaging means within sai latch.

14. The member of claim 13 wherein said membe has an axially disposed hole therethrough. 

1. Door knob retention apparatus comprised of a spring loaded member and a rosette assembly; said rosette assembly having a means for mating with a door knob; said mating means having a knob retaining member adapted for movement between a first and second retaining member position, said mating means having an axially and rotatably moveable spring loaded member therein, which is compliantly urged to a first axial position; said spring loaded member being axially moveable to a second axial position, and rotatable for locking thereat; said knob retaining member being cooperatively disposed with respect to a mating knob so that when in said first position, said knob retaining member engages cooperatively disposed surfaces of said knob to prevent the removal thereof; said knob being readily removable when said knob retaining member is in said second position; whereby said spring loaded member and said knob retaining member are cooperatively disposed so that said spring loaded member, when at said first axial position, locks said knob retaining member at said first retaining member position, and en said spring loaded member is in said second axial position, allows the movement of said retaining member to said second retaining member position.
 2. The door knob retention apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spring loaded member has an inclined surface disposed to engage a surface of said knob retaining member and to progressively urge said knob retaining member from said second retaining member position to said first retaining member position as said spring loaded member moves from said second axial position to said first axial position.
 3. The door knob retention apparatus of claim 2 wherein said spring loaded member has an axially disposed hole therethrough; said spring loaded member and said rosette assembly being cooperatively disposed so that said spring loaded member is axially and rotationally moveable by means of an elongated tool having an enlarged end thereon, inserted through said hole for such purpose from an axial direction opposite said knob.
 4. The door knob retention apparatus of claim 3 wherein said spring loaded member is urged toward said knob by a coil spring acting in compression; said spring loaded member further having a conical protuberance at the end thereof directed away from said knob; said conical protuberance having at least one slot therein adapted to be engaged by a screw driver.
 5. Door knob retention apparatus comprised of a door knob, and a mating member extending from a rosette assembly; said mating member having a knob retaining member adapted for movement between first and second retaining member positions; said mating member having an axially and rotatably moveable spring loaded member therein, which is compliantly urged to a first axial position; said spring loaded member being axially moveable to a second axial position, and rotatable for locking thereat; said knob retaining member being cooperatively disposed with respect to said knob so that when in said first positioN, said knob retaining member engages cooperatively disposed surfaces of said knob to prevent the removal thereof; said knob being readily removable when said knob retaining member is in said second position; whereby said spring loaded member and said knob retaining member are cooperatively disposed so that said spring loaded member, when at said first axial position, locks said knob retaining member at said first retaining member position, and when said spring loaded member is in said second axial position, allows the movement of said retaining member to said second retaining member position.
 6. The door knob retention apparatus of claim 5 wherein said spring loaded member has an inclined surface disposed to engage a surface of said knob retaining member and to progressively urge said knob retaining member from said second retaining member position to said first retaining member position as said spring loaded member moves from said second axial position to said first axial position.
 7. The door knob retention apparatus of claim 5 wherein said spring loaded member is urged in said first axial direction by a coil spring acting in compression; said spring loaded member further having a conical protuberance at the end thereof directed away from said knob; said conical protuberance having at least one slot therein, adapted to be engaged by screw driver.
 8. The door knob retention apparatus of claim 7 wherein said spring loaded member has an axially disposed hole therethrough; said spring loaded member and said latch mechanism being cooperatively disposed so that said spring loaded member is axially and rotationally moveable by means of an elongated tool having an enlarged end thereon, inserted through said hole for such purpose from an axial direction opposite said knob.
 9. Door knob retention apparatus comprised of a door knob and a substantially cylindrical mating member attached to a door latch mechanism and defining an axis; said mating member having a knob retaining member adapted for radial movement between an extended and a retracted position; said mating member having an axially and rotatably moveable spring loaded member therein, which is compliantly urged to a first axial position; said spring loaded member being moveable to a second axial position and rotatable for locking thereat; said knob retaining member being cooperatively disposed with respect to said knob so that when in said extended position, said knob retaining member engages an opening in the neck of said knob to prevent the removal thereof; said knob being readily removable when said knob retaining member is in said withdrawn position; whereby said spring loaded member and said knob retaining member are cooperatively disposed and adapted so that said spring loaded member, when at said first axial position, locks said knob retaining member at said extended position, and when said spring loaded member is in said second axial position, allows the movement of said retaining member to said withdrawn position.
 10. The door knob apparatus of claim 9 wherein said spring loaded member has an inclined surface disposed to engage a surface of said knob retaining member and to progressively urge said knob retaining member from said second retaining member position to said first retaining member position as said spring loaded member moves from said second axial position to said first axial position.
 11. The door knob retention apparatus of claim 10 wherein said spring loaded member is urged in said first axial direction by a coil spring acting in compression; said spring loaded member further having a conical protuberance at the end thereof directed away from said first axial direction; said conical protuberance having at least one slot therein, adapted to be engaged by a screw driver.
 12. The door knob retention apparatus of claim 11 wherein said spring loaded member has an axially disposed hole therethrough; said spring loaded member and said latch mechanism being cooperatively disposed so that said spring loaded member is axially and rotationally moveable by means of an elongated tool having an enlarged end thereon, inserted through said hole for such purpose from an axial direction opposite said first axial direction.
 13. A member for use in a door latch mechanism, as part of a means for locking a door knob thereto; said member having a first section adjacent a first end, a second section adjacent a second end, and a third section intermediate said first and second sections; said first end being defined by a frustro conical protrusion having at least one slot therein adapted for engagement by screw drivers; said first section having a substantially cylindrical surface defining its outer periphery; said second section being of uniform cross-section and having a body with at least one integral radial protrusion extending from said third section to a plane adjacent said second end, said second end being defined by an extention of said body beyond said plane; said third section having a tapered surface adapted to cooperate with door engaging means within said latch.
 14. The member of claim 13 wherein said member has an axially disposed hole therethrough. 